PRINCE2 2017 Update, the same but better!

Today AXELOS announced the upcoming arrival of the new PRINCE2 2017 Update. It was in 2009 when the previous version was presented and this could mean that product is not being used or is already rather mature. I think the latter is the case and that’s what we can conclude too if we look at this new version. It’s a thorough but evolutionary update; same seven principles, themes and processes remain.

As one of the reviewers for the AXELOS PPM product family I took part in several review rounds for this new PRINCE2 Update, so I have already read the draft manual.

There is now, in the new manual, a much stronger emphasis on tailoring. In the previous version, it was a separate chapter, and not examined, and now it’s a thread running throughout the method as well as the exam. You will also get a much stronger emphasis on the principles, and the practical application of PRINCE2 is much better explained. This will help to get rid of the misconception that PRINCE2 is a waterfall approach to project management.

Some changes in more detail:

Better link between themes and principles

Tailoring guidelines on the level of individual themes and processes are added

New chapter on adopting PRINCE2 in an organization

Tailoring guidelines for the management products are added

Tailoring guidelines regarding roles are added

Throughout the manual many hints and tips

Any bias against agile is removed, on several places you will find references to agile approaches

Instead of ‘corporate or programme management’ we now have ‘corporate, programme management or customer’

PRINCE2 terminology better aligned with ISO21500 and BS6079 and differences are explained

Thank you. I’m going to join a prince2 three days workshop next week. They have given me a 2009 edition. I understand it will take few more months before 2017 material will be released. I have partly paid the fee for the exam. Please advise if I can go ahead with 2009 or wait until the 2017 update release

Hi Henny – I did the training for the 2009 foundation and purchased the handbook. If I want to take the 2017 exam, do I need to buy the new handbook, or do you think that little enough has changed for me to pass the exam using the first edition?

Hi Matthew, if you passed for 2009 foundation there is no need to go for 2017 Foundation if you will continue with PRINCE2 2017 Practitioner. If you didn’t passed, I think you can look on the internet for the biggest changes and you could go for the Foundation exam without buying the new handbook. on https://www.axelos.com/prince2-2017 you can download a content summary and Chapter 4, Tailoring and adopting PRINCE2. Success with your exam.